Pivot joint for folding cots



Aug. 13, 1940. H. w. NEUNHERZ 2,211,381

PIVOT JOINT FOR FOLDING COTS Filed 001:. 3, 1938 Patented Aug. 13, 1940 UNITED STATES ainsi 'l'ET OFFICE Application October 3,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to that type of folding cots in which there are frames supporting the springs of the cot which fold together, usually in the middle, for well known purposes.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a joint, at which the folding takes place, of such a nature as to constitute a rigid connection and enable the joint itself to conceal the top of the leg; to provide the pivotal connection between the horizontal frame and the leg at a certain definite point to enable the frame to swing freely on its pivot; to provide a joint member of a simple form with means for permitting this frame to swing and especially means projecting beyond it and at a distance from the leg for constituting a positive stop for the frame in eactly the right position to: cause the frame to reach and retain a horizontal position when unfolded.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. l is a side view of part of a folding cot showing the connection of the leg with the support for the pivotal joint on which the frame is mounted;

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same showing a portion of the usual spring;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the joint, partly in section, showing the frame swinging down` to folded position, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 4-l of Fig. 3.

Heretofore a vjoint has been used in the same place but it has been bulky and provided sometimes with projecting points or angles and had to be moved when the cot was folded.

The invention is shown as used in connection with a leg I0 of angle iron which has the usual foot II and at the top is merely cut off without much attention having to be directed to the operation, as it is all hidden, as will appear later.

Across the top of this leg is a permanent bracket I2 having the shape of an angle iron with one side horizontal, constituting the top of it and the other side vertical, constituting the means for connecting it with the leg and side members I3. This bracket I2 is fixed to the top of the leg, as shown in this case, by two rivetsl Ill, these, of course, passing through the side of the bracket. The flange ofthe angle iron leg which is pivoted to the bracket is inside the bracket so that the vertical flange of the bracket 1938, Serial No. 233,058

(Cl. 5--11'7l conceals it on the front and the top of the bracket conceals the more or less raw cut edges thereof. The sides i3 aro pivoted to the bracket by pivots I5.

It will he seen that these pivots are located at 5 a distance from the leg and also at a distance from the top of the bracket. It vwill also be noticed that the end of the angle iron E3 can oe cut off Square without finish as these ends are within the bracket and entirely concealed.

In order to provide for the turning of the sides I3 on these pivots i5 without bothering to cut them off at the corner, which would be a had mechanical operation on this kind of an angle iron, the bracket I2 is provided with two conL cave surfaces I6 to allow the corner of the angle iron to turn on its pivot without obstruction. This, of course, results in corresponding gently curved projections Il on the top side of the bracket which, at least, do not result in any un- A sightly appearance. The principal point here is that beyond this concave wall it are projections i8 at both ends of the bracket which are horizontal and bent exactly to the right position so that they constitute stops for the sides I3 and 25 insure that these sides shall be exactly in horizontal position when unfolded, shown especially in Fig. 3.

This constitutes an extremely simple device for this purpose, providing for the turning of the 30 sides on their pivots, of the horizontal location of the s'ides when the cot is unfolded, and constituting a simple and inexpensive construction for this bracket, which is in all respects stationary. 35

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited tothe details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is:

l. In a folding cot, the combination of a vertical stationary leg of angle iron, a bracket having the shape of an angle iron, with one member thereof horizontal and constituting the top and one member extending down vertically from one edge of the top and riveted to the leg sothat the bracket encloses and conceals the top of the leg, and an angle iron side member constituting a support for a spring, swingingly pivoted to the vertical member of the bracket at a point at a distance from the top of the bracket and from the leg kand at substantially the level of the riveting oi the bracket to the leg, said angle iron side member terminating in a square end with said pivot at the extreme end of its vertical side and spaced from its horizontal side and from the top of said bracket, said vertical side depending from said horizontal side, said bracket having a concave portion on the bottom of its top member,

for the purpose described, and a horizontal extension from its end constituting a stop in position to hold the side member horizontal by abutment With the horizontal side of said side member.

2. In a folding cot, the combination of a Vertical leg of angle iron cut square at its top end, a bracket having the shape of an angle iron and centrally secured to the top of said leg, one member of said bracket being horizontal and constituting a top, and the other member extending vertically down from an edge of said horizontal member, so that the bracket encloses and conceals the square cut end of the leg, and an angle iron side member bed-spring support having a square cut end pivoted to the inner face of said vertical bracket member at a distance from the horizontal bracket member, and from the leg, said pivot being located at the end of the side member on its vertical side and spaced from its horizontal side, the latter forming the top of the side member and the vertical side depending therefrom, Whereby the side member nests in said bracket when it is extended, said bracket having a concave portion in its horizontal member and an extension at its end constituting a stop in a position to hold said side member horizontal, by abutment with the horizontal side of said side member, said bracket enclosing and concealing the pivot and the adjacent end of said side member in all positions of the latter.

HERBERT W. NEUNHERZ. 

